<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FORM 10-Q
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE
TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000089800
<NAME> THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          12,666
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  627,216
<ALLOWANCES>                                    25,016
<INVENTORY>                                    583,272
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,456,493
<PP&E>                                       1,112,658
<DEPRECIATION>                                 573,465
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,949,834
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,209,725
<BONDS>                                        134,638
<COMMON>                                       101,432
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,192,329
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,949,834
<SALES>                                      2,003,025
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,003,025
<CGS>                                        1,195,551
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,195,551
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,509
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 8,621
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,450
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                163,701
<INCOME-TAX>                                    62,206
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            101,495
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   101,495
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.18